Chapter Two – Likely Friends (PPOV)

I sit down in History and wait for the torture to begin. I look up at the teacher, who seems to be passed out at his desk. Someone throws a rubber at him and yells. "HAYMITCH WAKE UP" The whole class laughs and he stumbles up to the board. "ok, um, well, just finish your projects and don't bother me. I'm too… I'm too…" and with that he's asleep again.

I hate being the new kid. Everyone always stares at me, waiting for me to fuck up so they have a chance to laugh. Someone slumps into the seat next to me. I remember him at Finnick, from my Art class. "You seem to have made quite an impression on the girls here" he says, nodding towards a group of girls giggling and staring at me. I recognise one of them as Glimmer. All I know about her is that Katniss kind of hates her.

"I'm not really interested." "Dude?" Finnick sits up straight and looks me in the eye. "Are you gay?" "NO!" He laughs at me and leans back in his chair. "I'm just not interested in those girls,"

Just after I say this a smile spreads across his face. "Oh my god! You have a crush on Everdeen!" I'm obviously blushing but I still shake my head in denial. "Oh, please! I saw the way you were looking at her and the way she was looking at you too. What exactly did you say to get the infamous Katniss Everdeen to swoon over a guy for the first time in a bazillion years? Pray, do tell" Did she really swoon? Shut up Peeta, not the point here.

"Well, I uh… " I begin "I drew a portrait of her and told her she was beautiful… fuck, I just realised how stupid that was! On my first day as well. Urgh for gods sake Peeta!" I start banging my head on the table until Finnick stops me, laughing.

"Dude, you're the first guy to get her attention, don't give up now! I can tell she likes you, so don't fret." Does she really like me? I'm probably just psyching myself out. "It's kind of ironic really," he continues "you like Katniss, Gale likes Madge and I like Annie. Not that she's ever go for me of course, but our group all crushing on the same group, got to be some freaky connection" I think I've just been invited to hang with Finnick and Gale. You've done well today Peeta.

"Trust me, you've got more of a chance with Annie than you think" I tell him, recalling what Katniss told me about Annie in Art. His face lights up.

Gale pulls up a chair on the other side of Finnick and Finnick fills him in on everything we've just discussed.

"So Everdeen, huh? Tough nut to crack," Gale informs me. I shrug. "I think I'll take my chances" He smiles and I return it.

I am extremely happy with the way this day has gone. I get on with these guys better than I expected, and all because we have something in common…

Lunch couldn't have come slower. I go to the cafeteria with the guys and have slop thrown onto my tray. I'm pretty sure some landed on my face. I wish I was at the bakery having lunch.

We deliberately walked past the girls because taking out seats at an empty table. "Why don't you just sit with them? Or ask them out?" I ask. They look down, shake their heads, and mumble excuses. I roll my eyes. "It's not that difficult, just watch" I stand up, leaving my tray because I know I wont be there for long, and walk over to where they are sitting.

"Hey Katniss," I smile at her as I sit in the empty chair next to her. "I was uh… wondering if you'd like to come over to mine after school so I can help you with your Art." She looks shocked and for a moment I think I may have scared her off but then she smiles brightly at me and nods. "I'd love to." "Great. I'll meet you in the parking lot after Music." I stand up and make my way back to Finnick and Gale, whose mouths at open wide.

"And that's how it's done," Their mouths are still gaping. "Unless you're going to eat something, I suggest you shut your mouths so you don't catch flies." "Peeta, you just got a date with Katniss, on your first day. Katniss never dates anyone. Not after what happened with Cato. Do you have, like, super powers or something?" "Maybe he's a Capitol muttation" Gale joins in. I want to ask what happened with her and Cato but I'm too proud of myself to bother.

"Well, she has this effect on me, I guess. But being superman could be an advantage." They both laugh. We play a little football before the bell goes for the end of lunch.

I meet Katniss by her locker and we walk to the music classrooms. The teacher, Mr Chaff, tells us to pair up. Glimmer approaches me in a girly way. "So Peeta, want to be my partner, everybody does" she flicks her hair in a flirty way and bats her eyelashes. I am unfazed by her attempt. "No thanks," I turn to Katniss "Do you want to be my partner Katniss?" Her scowl turns into a smile and she nods.

We leave and sit in a practice room, alone. "So, do you play any instruments?" "I do actually. I taught myself a little guitar whilst sitting home for 14 years." I pick up the guitar and play a little melody. "Seems like that time has gone to good use." She says.

I start playing Only Love by Ben Howard and to my surprise, Katniss starts singing. Her voice is mesmerising. It's like listening to an angel sing. I get so distracted listening to her that I stop playing all together to hear her better but she stops too and raises an eyebrow at me.

"Sorry, I just- wow, your voice is amazing" She blushes a dark red and shakes her head. "I'm not that good," "You are, Katniss, I swear the birds stopped singing just to listen." She stands up and turns to the window and takes a bow to the birds. I laugh and she blushes more.

We go back to class to perform it. There is no doubt that we got the loudest applause. Even after Glimmer's attempt to play the piano and sing an Adele song. She was good, but we were better. We make a great team. I can see Katniss beaming with joy as the class cheers and whistles and I know, from this moment, I'm hooked.